A vision for church planting in Tunbridge Wells

Peter Sanlon is a busy man. Not only is he leading Union’s Learning Community in Tunbridge Wells, he is also vicar of St Mark’s Church, Tunbridge Wells, leader of the Anglican Partnership Synod (a new form of partnership within conservative Anglican churches in Kent and Sussex), and Director for Training for the Free Church of England, from which a new church will launch in October 2018 within the Tunbridge Wells Church of England Parish.

The Tunbridge Wells Learning Community is hosted by St Mark’s Church.

Peter Sanlon says, “We wanted to host a Learning Community at St. Mark’s Church because we believe that as Christians get to know God better, they become more effective servants and witnesses for God. We have seen it in people’s lives here at the church and we hope our learning community will resource people to deepen their relationship with God, and allow us to serve others.

Union helps us serve the needs of St. Mark’s Church and the Tunbridge Wells area. Many of our people live busy lives with young families and work commitments; others are retired and feel as busy. Union helps us serve our community by challenging us to set aside finance and time for the serious study of theology – in addition to our normal Sunday services and Home Groups.”

St Mark’s will partner with the FCofE in planting a new church in October. Several students from the Learning Community will be involved in this church plant, which helps keep a missional agenda front and centre in their studies.

Union and the FCofE have also partnered together, with Union providing a key part of the FCofE’s training programme for their ordinands.

Peter says, “Union was attractive because they have a robust combination of academic theology with evangelical spirituality that is geared towards ministry and mission. Union President, Mike Reeves, is very supportive of our vision for the FCofE, and Union’s vision to serve and equip the church and deploy church leaders to bless the world, matches our vision in planting new churches.”

Please pray for all the preparations for the new church plant in Tunbridge Wells this autumn, and watch this space for the story to unfold!